Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman believes black players feel let down by the governing body's handling of the John Terry racism case.

Ex-England skipper Terry was found guilty of using racist language towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand by an independent FA panel earlier this week, but is awaiting the full written judgment before deciding whether to appeal against a four-match ban and a fine of £220,000.

Triesman told BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek programme: "I really think as you look around the country and talk to black players, what you will find is they respect him (John Terry) as a player but they really feel let down because they don't feel the line has been drawn clearly enough."

Terry, 31, has always protested his innocence and was found not guilty of a racially-aggravated public order offence in a criminal trial in July. Terry retired from international football last Sunday night ahead of the hearing, claiming the FA's decision to pursue a case against him after he was cleared in court made his position in the national team "untenable".

He has represented his country in the 11 months since the incident, though - something which may not have happened had Triesman still been at the FA helm.

"I take a fairly hard view and I think we should have zero tolerance," Triesman added.

Asked if that meant Terry should not have played for England with the case hanging over him, he replied: "Personally, I would have preferred that, yes."

Triesman said the fact the punishment was not handed out until 11 months after the altercation was unacceptable, as he added: "The delay, the fact it has taken a year, is unconscionable. You shouldn't have any kind of system which has got a judicial, judgmental element, which takes this long because it gives the impression people are indifferent to the issues.

"And people shouldn't be indifferent to the issues. I can't for the life of me see why the FA couldn't have proceeded before the court case. Sports bodies do have the capacity to act earlier (than the courts), to demonstrate their leadership, and they should have done so.

"I know some people will say if you have any hearing it's likely to prejudice the outcome of the court case, but I think the application of the rules of the game are issues for the body that controls the game - and those should be dealt with in a timely way."